Laugh and Cry X MORGAN EASTWOOD

I hope to one day create coming-of-age stories with a personal twist that make younger readers laugh and cry. Exploring the writing world, along with my personal relationship with clothing, is what I’m most excited about during my time in one of the greatest cities in the world.

I grew up in the small, beautiful town of Carmel, California, but moved to Los Angeles at 18 and lived there for the better part of nine years. 

My dad is very down-to-earth and not into extravagance so, growing up, my home life was very similar to a typical kid’s. I did get to experience things that weren’t common, like living in cities around the world for months at a time while my dad made a movie, and having seven half-siblings of varying ages (which always makes for a fun and crazy time), but I had an average American childhood for the most part. I think a big part of that was due to being raised in a small town away from the spotlight.  

I only ever dipped my toes into the world of film and TV. Being in a couple of my dad’s projects was a fun and cute experience—and definitely exciting at the time! But as I got older, I realized that being in front of the camera didn’t really interest me. What did interest me was creating the content that was being filmed, so I went to college for screenwriting. That’s really when I decided that writing is what I love doing, overall.

I’ve had a long-time dream of being a writer in New York City so, when I got accepted into a creative writing graduate program in Manhattan, I jumped at the opportunity. And to my surprise, my fiancé was just as excited as I was to try city life, leading us to shift our entire lives across the country! We’re both really inspired by this place, even only after having been here for about a month.

Education is an investment in one's potential. It provides the freedom to have a better understanding of the world and to make genuinely informed decisions. I think that it’s really easy to regret not putting oneself out there or not taking opportunities that are presented, but it’s very rare that anyone will regret educating themselves about any given subject.

I had been quietly struggling with my own mental health on and off for so many years that I just felt like I was going to explode if I didn’t talk about it openly—which surprised even me, as I’ve historically been a very private person. My experience with OCD and anxiety started at a young age, so all I wanted to do is to potentially help a young person who might not be able to identify what it is they’re going through. I realized that if I’m going to be a writer, with a goal of incorporating mental health subjects into my writing, why not start with my own first-hand experience? 

In the past several years, our world has made more efforts to openly discuss these subjects that were once considered taboo. I think that reality has already been essential to the younger generation, as well as to older people who were never exposed to information or techniques that could have helped them earlier. I never would have spoken publicly about my experience if I hadn’t seen other people doing the same before me. In my opinion, continuing the conversation to destigmatize mental health is the most important thing we can do. I’m always open to talk about my own experiences with anyone curious about it or going through something similar.

I tend to go for neutrals—a lot of black, white, and brown pieces. But what I’ve found is that my outfit doesn’t always feel complete unless I add in a pop of color or something varying in texture, whether that’s with a fun pair of shoes, a bag or lipstick. The style here in New York is already inspiring me a lot, and I have a feeling I’ll be finding new ways to put more personal stamps on all my ensembles.

I love a mix of vintage and new items. Basics that I can re-wear over and over again, and in different combinations. I typically feel my most confident in a solid pair of jeans or trousers, a classic leather boot or a heeled sandal, and a more feminine silhouette on top.

One of my absolute favorite pieces from my Marcella capsule is the Elizabeth Coat in espresso. I can already tell that it’s one of those timeless items that will last for decades, and I can re-wear it every fall and winter for years to come. The Greta Sandals in disco are my other favorite because they’re a playful twist on the perfect strappy sandal with the square toe and metallic shine. I feel like I can pair them with any simple outfit to make it stand out.